Car Accident Lawyer East St. Louis, IL

Getting into a car accident can change your life. If you are injured in an accident, you will experience extreme pain and you will have to go to multiple doctor’s appointments. You may need months of physical therapy and you are certain to have very high medical expenses (or bills). Not only will your medical bills cost you money, but you may lose time away from work. If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, you are entitled to compensation for your injuries, and you should consider contacting a car accident lawyer East St Louis or a louis car accident attorney.

The trained personal injury attorneys at Hipskind and McAninch are well-versed in the laws of Illinois. They will fight hard to get you the money you need to recover from your injuries. Our car accident attorneys have represented big corporations in the past. We know the arguments insurance company lawyers will use to keep you from getting the settlement you deserve — and we fight back to pursue the maximum compensation for you.

Traffic Statistics Illinois 

The state of Illinois saw 1,159 fatal crashes in the year 2022 alone. The City of Chicago and the greater Chicagoland area take up a great deal of the state. It is known as a hub for many different industries. 

2022 saw an equal number of deaths of people wearing seatbelts and those who did not use seat belts. Unlicensed drivers caused a large portion of these crashes. Accidents happened on every type of road in the state. There are not many studies of traffic accidents in East Saint Louis proper. However, its proximity to the state border and downtown Saint Louis often means that traffic is thick.

Car Accident Law in Illinois 

There are two different kinds of insurance laws in the United States; fault and no fault. In a no-fault state, a driver will be required to buy personal injury protection insurance. Their own insurance will pay for rent and their hospital bills if they are injured in an accident. It does not matter who caused that accident.

There are several different types of fault rules. Illinois goes by a moderated comparative fault rule. If a person is more than 51% responsible for an accident, they may not collect any insurance money. 

If a driver is 50% or less responsible for a car accident, they can collect on the percentage of the accident they did not cause. For example, if you were 40% responsible for an accident and the other driver was 60% responsible, you would get 60% of your bills paid for by the other driver’s insurance policy.

In a fault or tort state, The driver who caused the accident is responsible for paying any medical bills that result from it. Illinois is a fault state. Hence, it is very important to establish who caused a collision. There are a few different ways that insurance companies and the police go about doing this.

Any insurance company wants to keep its money in-house. If you have a car accident with another driver, each of the insurance companies will look for a way to get out of paying an injured person what they should pay them, which is why you must carefully evaluate all insurance company offers and understand your insurance coverage. 

What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident in East St. Louis, IL

Accidents in East St. Louis can be overwhelming, especially when the car accident occurs near high-traffic areas like I-55, I-64, the Poplar Street Bridge, or industrial zones with heavy truck travel. Knowing what to do immediately after a crash can protect your health, strengthen your car accident claim, and prevent the insurance company from taking advantage of you. These early steps are crucial for accident victims who may later pursue personal injury claims.

Your first priority should always be medical attention—even if your injuries seem minor. Many serious conditions such as concussions, internal injuries, or soft-tissue damage do not show symptoms right away. Seeking prompt treatment creates important documentation linking your injuries to the auto accident and helps ensure your medical bills are properly tied to the incident for any future personal injury actions.

If you are able, collect evidence at the scene. This includes photos of vehicle damage, the roadway, skid marks, debris, weather conditions, traffic signals, and your visible injuries. Obtain witness names and exchange information with all involved drivers. If the police respond, ask how to obtain the official crash report later—this report often becomes a key piece of evidence in a car accident case.

Avoid making recorded statements to the insurance company before speaking with a car accident lawyer. Adjusters may pressure car accident victims to accept a fast, low settlement that doesn’t reflect the full extent of your injuries or long-term losses. Contacting an experienced East St. Louis car accident attorney early gives you a powerful advocate who understands personal injury law, knows how to deal with insurers, and can fight for your maximum compensation.

If the crash involved significant injuries or complex liability issues, working with a St. Louis car accident lawyer or a local East St. Louis attorney may be essential. A skilled legal professional can guide you through the entire car accident case, ensure deadlines are met, protect your rights as the injured party, and help you build a strong personal injury claim from the very beginning.

Save Your Bills

Always save all of your accident-related bills. Any insurance company will want to see proof of your medical expenses. Not only should you save all your doctor’s bills. but those for physical therapy and alternative treatments as well. 

Gather the receipts for any medications you have taken. Some prescriptions can be very expensive and even inexpensive ones can add up over time.

If you need maid service or if you need to use ride-sharing services as a result of your injuries, you should save those bills as well.

Record Lost Income

Not only are medical treatments painful and expensive, but they are also very time-consuming. You are likely to have to miss some time off of work to take care of your injuries. You should have your employer write a letter stating the number of hours you have missed from work and the amount of income that you have lost as a result. If you are self-employed, you can write yourself a letter and back up the information with the previous year’s tax returns.

Call Your Insurance Company 

Once you have gathered all the necessary paperwork, you will want to contact your insurance company. Your case will be assigned to an insurance adjuster who will look at your documentation and investigate your case. They will decide whether to accept or deny your claim. If they accept your claim, they will offer you a certain amount of money as a settlement. You should always call us before you accept that settlement.

How Your East St. Louis Car Accident Claim Works

After a crash, your injury claim typically begins with an investigation into liability—who caused the accident and how. Your attorney will review the police report, witness statements, traffic-camera footage (if available), and medical records to build a strong case.

Next, your lawyer will calculate your damages. Compensation may include medical bills, lost wages, future treatment costs, pain and suffering, loss of mobility, vehicle damage, and emotional distress. In cases involving severe or catastrophic injuries, the value of a claim may be significantly higher due to long-term medical needs.

Most East St. Louis claims settle outside of court, but if the insurance company refuses to pay a fair amount, your attorney may file a lawsuit in St. Clair County Circuit Court. Even after filing, many cases resolve before a trial becomes necessary. Your lawyer will guide you through each step so you never feel overwhelmed or unsure about your rights.

FAQ

How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Illinois?

Illinois law generally allows two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Waiting longer may eliminate your ability to recover compensation.

Do I need a lawyer if I’m partially at fault?

Yes. Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can still recover compensation if you are less than 50% at fault, but your total award will be reduced accordingly.

What if the other driver has no insurance?

You may be able to recover through your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. An attorney can help identify all possible sources of compensation.

How long will my injury claim take?

Simple cases may settle in a few months. More serious accidents involving commercial vehicles, multiple drivers, or long-term injuries usually take longer.

Do East St. Louis car accident claims go to court?

Some do—but only if negotiations fail. Many cases settle during pre-litigation. If a lawsuit is necessary, the case is typically handled in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Searching for a Car Accident Attorney in East St. Louis

The insurance company is unlikely to offer you the money you deserve. When you come to our office for your free consultation we will look at your case and tell you if we think you should accept the offer. If the settlement offer is too small, we can negotiate with the insurance company for you to get you more money. If the insurance companies still will not give you a reasonable settlement, we can represent you in a lawsuit.

Getting in a car accident is one of the worst things that can happen to anyone. A trained car accident lawyer from Hipskind and McAninch, a firm with experienced louis personal injury lawyers, will help you get the compensation you need to get better after your car accident case.